The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-10-14

notes, written at the time.
Headquarters GEN. foLK, HAY GE, 1862,
Before sun-up this morning anoth-
er of those terrible scenes occurred
that are so terrible, even when eyes
are accustomed to the bloodshed OF
battle-a military execution.
On some occasions, q regiment or
brigade are called, and with q slow
step and muff1ed drums, march to an
open field, forming three sides OF q
square, with the culprit and regular
shooting detail in the center, where
the example may be seen by all. The
ceremony is also solemn and impress
sive.
In the present instance, however.
there is nothing to be remembered but
a shackly army wagon, drawn by two
mules q stoical.looking man with PIN
Toned arms sitting on, q long box chew.
ing tobacco, q struggling crowd Of
thirty or forty long-haired Texans, q
rife volley, a splash of brains, and a
grave. That is all.
A more bravely met death than
that man suffered | never witnessed.
As he rode by our quarters not the
most critical observer could have dis
covered from his expression any differ
ence between him and a curious by-
ISLANDER, save that it was a face pale,
n~onchalant, determined, and almost
contemptuous. Arriving at the place
of execution, which was in a narrow
shaded valley about a quarter Of a
mile distant, he jumped lightly from
the wagon, fingered a moment to see
his coffin removed, and then saunter-
ed carelessly down to the tree beneath
whose branches he was to meet his
fate.
There being no ceremony about the
proceedings, no chaplain, no prayer,
no nothing to indicate that a human
being was about to be ushered into
eternity, two or three of us stepped to
his side and with the Lieutenant In
charge of the shooting squad, engaged
in a brief conversation. He said that
he was q native T~ennesseean named
Coon Harris, and that he was forty
years OF age and a resident of Paris or
Paducan-I am not certain which. He
also conceded that he had made a
mistake in not wearing q uniform, for
it would have undoubtedly saved him
from being shot as a spy. But he was
not afraid to die, land tell my family
and friends" he added, tif any of you
boys get o chance, that / did die
like q brave man" There was not q
cooler or more concerned person in
the crowd than the prisoner. His eye,
bold and unwavering, looked now
around the little throng. and again
vacantly in the distance, as il Thoughts
of home or future might occupy his
mind, but neither cheek blanched nor
muscle quivered. The man seemed
made of stone.
The interview finished, the faded
brown coat he wore was buttoned
across his chest and he sat down upon
his coffin. His last request was for a
piece OF tobacco. Al handkerchief was
then tied over his eyes, and voluntari-
" he laid his head against the tree.
Even in this trying moment, the last
which bridged the narrow chasm be-
tween time and eternity, and when
earth was forever shut out from view,
he preserved his remarkable self-pos-
session. Finding the bark of the tree
somewhat rough he occupied several
seconds In adjusting his head as one
would at himself to q pillow before
going to sleep,so as TO rest easily, and
then with the remark, Boys, remem.
Der that Coon Harris was stways q
squar' man" he became still.N
The officer took his place upon the
right, and in a. low toneto thaZfla- of
men standing eight PAGES in front Of
the silent figure, gave the order:
"Ready, alma couple OF seconds OF
suspense-'irel' A simultaneous re-
port, q conyulsive shock as the mass
of lead struck the body, bits of flying
skull and brains, q little stream of
blood from wounds around the heart,
q falling Of the head to one side, q
dropping OF the lower jaw, O. long sigh,
and the soul of the Union guide wing
ed it's way to the presence of the
Great Judge. The Texans had done
their fearful work merclfully and we'll.
To put the yet warm remains into the
rude box and dump them in the new.
made grave was left to two or three
negro servants, and the men strolled
to their respective camps away from
an everyday affair.
With reference to deserters from our
lines, they doubtless caused much
anxiety to our general officers, and
provoked swift vengeance when
caught. One night while the Federals
wers closely drawing their lines
around Corinth, no less than threeCcn-
federates ranbyt the pickets at q single
point. and wien safely beyond range
turned and tantalized their comrades
with insulting remarks. The same
night another made an attempt, but
not knowing the country unconscious
iy drifted back 20 q point on the
Purdy road, where he was met with
the sharp 'shalt" OF one OF the sen
tinels.
''Oh, you needn't mind me; I'm as
good a Federal as you are" was the
response.
What are you doing here, then?'
retorted che ~Southerner.
II have just deserted from the Con-
fedcrates. and have com over 10 give